Where can you find homes that are Section 8 approved?

A:

Quick Answer

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development manages all section 8 housing and hosts an online database of privately owned subsidized housing on its website, HUD.gov. The database contains a complete list for every state and Washington, D.C.

Section 8 housing subsidizes the cost of housing for very low-income families and elderly or disabled individuals, HUD reports. Section 8 provides subsidies through three programs: privately owned subsidized housing, public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Through privately owned subsidized housing, private owners offer some of their available housing at a discount to renters who meet criteria set by HUD, and HUD agrees to pay the difference to the owner. Potential tenants apply directly to the private owner.

Public housing is owned by HUD and operated by a local public housing authority that holds jurisdiction over a particular region, often a city or county, explains HUD. Potential tenants apply directly to their local public housing authority to secure public housing. Through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, qualifying families and individuals obtain vouchers from their local public housing authority and find housing on the private market. The local public housing authority then pays the private landlord the value of the voucher. The Housing Choice Voucher Program can also be used to help purchase a home.